Key Questions for 2025
1. What did you make of Still and Hart’s rookie seasons? Did they outplay your evaluation of them heading into last year’s draft?
“I don’t want to say I completely whiffed, I had early sixth-round grades on both of them and they went in the fifth. They probably both, especially Still, played better than where they were selected. Those were not hits for me. Hats off to Jesse Minter and the job he did at defensive coordinator. He really accentuated Still’s ability to just watch the quarterback, plant and drive on the football. I thought his instincts in zone at Maryland were fantastic, I was a little worried about him in man, but the Chargers did a good job to just allow him those opportunities to make plays on the football.
“Then Cam Hart, his size with his movement ability, that was the biggest appeal with him. I was a little concerned about the tackling and the man coverage ability to mirror, but I think the quick development for both of those players bodes well not just for their futures, but the futures of any of these cornerbacks that the Chargers might pick in this draft because I think they have a pretty good developmental program with this new coaching staff.”
2. How is the cornerback depth in this year’s class?
“I think it’s really good. I think what’s kind of clouding the general thoughts on this position is that after Travis Hunter, you have Shavon Revel from East Carolina, Ben Morrison from Notre Dame and Will Johnson from Michigan, who all are first-round caliber players on film, but are all nursing injuries. I don’t know the severity of those injuries and how much teams believe it’s going to hamper their development or their ability to play Week 1 or any of those things… I think it’s a little bit deeper with a little bit more top-end talent than the linebacker class.”
3. Who is someone you think could be this year’s Still or Hart? A cornerback drafted on Day 3 that can surprise people?
“I’m going to go with Korie Black from Oklahoma State. He was not invited to the Combine and I’m not really sure why. He is that click and close, drive on the football, press man corner. Those are not easy to find in any draft. Really good ball production out of Oklahoma State. He’s a little bit smaller, doesn’t have crazy long arms so maybe that’s what kept him out of the Combine. He feels like that player, like Still and Hart, who can outplay his draft position. Just going off he wasn’t invited to the Combine, that doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to be a seventh rounder, but he’s probably going to be picked on Day 3. I think he has all the attributes you want.”
